BE ENTHUSIASTIC!

“Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Romans 12:11, NLT

Making a task fun goes way back to my grandparents who’s attitudes about work was passed on to me. My grandpa worked his farm as if it were child’s play. At least, that’s what I saw because I saw the joy before i saw the sweat. Grandpa loved his animals, the work involved to keep them fed and protected and he loved being outside. He stocked his ponds with fish. He built a dock so we could fish from it. He bought Shetland ponies for us to ride. He grew strawberries for pies and cakes which grandma loved making. He and grandma raised chickens for “Sunday after church Fried Chicken”. She also was infamous for her biscuits, which I still try and fail to achieve.

Grandpa was also a carpenter, but not just any carpenter who worked at cabinet building. He was a creative carpenter. A “client” would hand him a picture or drawing or just tell him what they wanted and he “came up with it” every time…and he loved doing it. Did I see the sweat and hard work behind all this? Not at first. I only saw the joy.

When our church “in the city” of Oklahoma City decided to buy land in the suburbs of Midwest City, he became the “contractor” and did all the inside carpentry work to save money for this tremendous building project with a relatively small band of people. When people of the congregation would come by, he would take them around, working alone most days, to show them the progress…smiling through the sweat and sawdust on his face. His face, his twinkling eyes and smile is still in my memory. He worked his farm, his carpentry business and helped to build a church, enthusiastically, “as to the Lord” (as another translation says it). Lazy he was not!

This verse of few, but powerful words, brings back a flood of memories of the person who taught me to serve with the Lord enthusiastically, no matter what the job or task was, smile and be happy, humbled even, for the opportunity to do it. That’s what grandpa (and grandma) modeled for me. And I am grateful.

What do we learn? Enthusiasm comes from a grateful heart, mind and soul for what God provides for us to do, to be a part of, to build, to clean, no matter what the job is…do it with a smile…through the sweat of the brow.

Dear Heavenly Father, 
Thank you for this conversation with You this morning. You have reminded me, (with a great memory), that our enthusiasm for the work is as vital as the work itself. Continue to bless us with opportunities to serve and we will do it with a smile.